Despite a sub-par 6-21 record in the regular season, the Gondo basketball earned the eighth seed in the invitational playoffs because they played such highly rated teams in their league.

The Gondos welcomed the Conquistadors of El Caminio Real on Feb 15. The Gondoliers lost in overtime 81-75, although they controlled the game for much of regulation. The Gondos were hurt because all five of their starters fouled out in a game that had many questionable calls.



"I hate to say it, but I think [the officiating] played a huge role," explained head coach Josh Herscher. He said that he had no complaints about his teams playing, and also said that "Those guys played their butts off, and I have no complaints about how they played." The referees declined to comment on their calls after the game.

El Camino lost its next game to the eventual Invitational champion Bell High School 49-53.

Herscher said that the way the team played towards the end of the year was encouraging, and he is looking forward to next season. He said that he thinks the team will be strong, because they will have a lot of young talent. Specifically, seven players from the JV team will be moved up to varsity. Herscher said that this is encouraging, because the JV team was strong this year.